Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
British Baptist Volunteers Reach Out to Migrants
It's been the focus of much coverage this summer, but beyond the headlines what's life like for those living in the Calais "jungle," a makeshift migrant camp near the French coastal city? And is there anything those...
2 Root Causes When Churches Face Conflict, Mistrust
I love what I do. Really. Every day is like a new adventure of learning and exploring the future of congregational and clergy life. While the future is uncertain and daunting, there is no doubt that this is a pivotal...
4 Reasons to Support Iran Nuclear Agreement
More than 50 American Christian leaders have signed a letter to Congress expressing support for the diplomatic agreement with Iran that would limit that nation's nuclear program. These signatories include United...
A musical conversation to which you are invited
By John Pierce Whenever I fill the pulpit of a church — near or far, large or small — it is not surprising to see another name listed in the order of worship: Stan Pethel. Lacking omnipresence, Stan is not in...
Burma’s Parliament Passes Legislation Restricting Religious Liberty
Religious liberty restrictions were passed by the parliament of Burma (also known as Myanmar) on Aug. 21. The legislation, set forth by Buddhist monks and first drafted in late May, would increase government control...
Challenging the Climate Change Skeptics: Part 2
Is climate skepticism doubt, denial or opposition? Classic "Cartesian Doubt" questions uncertainties but not as an end in itself. Descartes questioned to establish reality. Those who only seek evidence to support their...
‘Mr. Holmes’
The venerable actor Ian McKellen is starring in a new film, "Mr. Holmes." For decades, McKellen has worked on stage and film, lauded for his performances. Without a doubt, this new film showcases the fruitfulness of...
Why God Wants Your Church to Grow
Unlike most ministers, I was ordained as a missionary. At the end of my theological studies, instead of going into a church, I joined the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS World Mission). Before sailing for the Congo, I...
Josh Duggar, Jared Fogle and the Valley of Trouble
A 3,000-year-old question offers an important challenge for Christians today. Coming off a tremendous victory at Jericho, described in Joshua 6, the people of Israel moved on to Ai where the Lord assured them victory...
Challenging the Climate Change Skeptics: Part 1
As we approach the crucial climate change talks in Paris in November, politicians, scientists and the general public will be discussing the topic and it will be aired on the media. Some will suggest that climate change...
August 26, 2015
Houston Church Keeps Hurricane Katrina Evacuees United (USA Today) Duke Students Reject Award-Winning Book Over Gay Themes (CNN) The Rev. Kenneth Wright Retires From First Baptist Gainsboro After 42 Years (Roanoke...
Up, down, and unexpected
It's hard to know what to expect these days. While the stock market does a number on retirement funds, the bottom has fallen out of the oil market, which takes less of a bite out of travel. While traveling this past...
Survey: U.S.-Born Hispanics Receive Better Societal Treatment than Foreign-Born
A recent Gallup poll found that one in 10 Hispanics said they had experienced discrimination due to their ethnicity in various contexts during the past month. Overall, 25 percent of respondents said they had been...
3 Questions About What Matters at Your Church
It is not always easy for churches to start questioning their life together. Often what is happening is important and might have strong support. The decision of whether or not to review what has been going on is...
When Political Correctness Also Happens to Be Correct
Just because something is politically correct doesn't mean that it might not also be correct. Sometimes we have to swallow hard to accept truth. Some years ago, I served on a priests' council, an advisory board to the...
Intergenerational Worship Can Anchor Your Church’s Youth
Intergenerational worship is one of the most important and most neglected opportunities within the local church. Once the Millennial decline became apparent, one of the first longitudinal studies done on youth in...
Only 1 in 3 Aware of Papal Encyclical on Environment
Thirty-one percent of all U.S. citizens and 40 percent of U.S. Roman Catholics have heard about Pope Francis' encyclical on ecology. Released in mid-June, "Laudato Si" was largely overshadowed by the tragic church...
5 Things Pastors Need to Stop Doing Now
Becoming an effective, emotionally intelligent pastor requires more than delivering a good sermon, making timely hospital visits and scheduling committee meetings. Outstanding pastor-leaders lead from their heart and...
August 24, 2015
Jimmy Carter Teaches Bible Class as Usual on Sunday (CNN) Hundreds Show Up as Carter Teaches Sunday School at His Church (Macon Telegraph) Donald Trump Compares Himself to Billy Graham; Says 'My Favorite Book is the...
Sunrises and sunsets
By John Pierce Perhaps “glory” is an overused word — though not as much as “awesome.” Yet it conveys a sense of magnificence beyond measure or definition. Glory seems to have a spiritual dimension. It’s a biblical...
Inaccurate, Negative Narratives Continue to Persist in Immigration Rhetoric
Donald Trump's comments about Mexican immigrants being "rapists" and "criminals," and his suggestion that all undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. should be deported have continued to make national headlines. His...